Whether you sit in a cushy corner office or search for your dream job, researching your brand leads to new achievement. Your brand is actually your personal brand — the core of your reputation and the “secret sauce” you’re known for among your networks. Researching your personal brand can lead to remarkable discoveries that help you grow, expand your opportunities, and deepen your impact.
No doubt, this benefits people who are younger and early in their careers. But make no mistake: researching your personal brand is equally powerful even when you’re near or at the top. After all, it’s natural for high achievers to wonder what’s next.
When you live on autopilot day in and day out, it’s easy to lose perspective — especially in a virtual or hybrid work world. What strengths do you bring to your interactions and use to get things done? How have you evolved and developed new abilities that people value and appreciate? And, importantly, what do people identify as opportunities for your future growth?
Working on your personal brand is an ongoing pursuit, but chances are, you’ve been doing it passively. Just showing up plays a big role in the reputation you develop. However, remember that your brand develops qualitatively. Actively using your strengths and leadership skills, and masterfully communicating a vision, enhances your visibility and your brand. So, performing your regular duties might allow you to build your brand without much thought. But if you go through the motions without personal goals in mind, you could squander precious opportunities.
Personal Perspective
I know a thing or two about this because I help others explore and strengthen their personal brands — and I manage my own, which gives me the chance to experiment and test new ideas. Exploring and strengthening your brand is iterative. Just because you do a deep dive into researching your brand doesn’t mean the work is finished forever.
This year, it was time for me to dig deep again. My goal was to emerge with greater clarity about how I best serve people. Often, I recommend this kind of brand refresh, whether you are a corporate leader or an entrepreneur. Taking an interest in how you serve supports how you succeed, and brings deeper meaning to your brand. In this way, researching your personal brand leads to new achievement, but without taking an ego trip.
Your personal brand makes up a big chunk of your overall presence, whether online or in person. So, true to form, I contemplated and implemented ideas to enhance my online reputation and leave positive lasting impressions.
Online Reputation
Now that everyone’s work lives have gone so fully online, your online reputation isn’t just about how you look on Zoom. The personal style component is important in its own right. Yet, having a compelling LinkedIn profile and a personal website that clearly communicates your leadership brand and thought leadership matter first and foremost. For entrepreneurs, a website that highlights the value clients receive from products or services is crucial. The key is to ensure that what people read about your leadership or offerings connects in a meaningful way. And the best way to do that is by researching and updating your brand.
In my own case, I completely overhauled this website, including continuing to write blog posts I hope readers find inspiring. Plus, I refreshed my LinkedIn profile. Additionally, clients have offered social proof of my consulting and coaching, which has been wonderful to see on my Google Business listings in both Silicon Valley and New York City.
On the entrepreneurial side, constructive interviews and feedback from clients, colleagues, and even family members led me to expand my services. This has reignited a fire in me — truly a gift, 31 years into my career.
That might sound like a lot to tackle, but that’s the kind of coach I am. Take the comprehensive approach and leave no stone unturned. If I can encourage myself to go all the way, I would offer you just the same advice — and the same coaching — if you need it.
What of Yourself You Leave Behind
As for what of yourself you leave behind, I consider this the lasting impression. This is especially valid for job candidates. After the interview ends, and the hiring team meets 300 others for the same role, what about you stuck with them? Even if you’re not in a job search, what of yourself you leave behind still matters.
I actually see this as experiential: what makes the experience of interacting with you memorable in a good way? Here, executive presence counts heavily. By researching your personal brand, you can better identify the qualities and strengths that people admire about you. And remember: people admire those qualities because they make them feel good about themselves — and about you.
As a personal example, the way I coach and “see” people reflects my presence during an interaction. But those sessions aren’t about me; they are there for the client’s well-being. So, after a session, if a client feels better about herself and her direction, she holds a part of me. It’s a wonderful experience to share honest communication and to guide someone with confidence. When that helps them make their own discoveries, they grow because of your positive presence in their life.
Some of what you leave behind is also visual. How did you show up? What did you wear? Here, personal style weighs more heavily. And since our work lives are so online now, even your visible home environment leaves an impression. Is it good? It’s worth assessing and then adjusting for a more desirable outcome.
I always intended to have a special space in my home where I could see clients. Good thing, because now everyone enters my special space — virtually, on Zoom. People tell me they look forward to seeing it because it makes them feel good, even through the screen.
Final Thoughts
While it’s true that researching your brand leads to new achievement, you can make great strides fairly quickly. A solid assessment, a realistic plan with attainable goals, a skilled coach, and your total commitment are all you need to find new success.
Ready to explore how researching your personal brand could open new opportunities? let’s connect and discuss how I can help you get there. If you’d like to dive deeper into uncovering and developing your personal brand, learn more about the Personal Brand Deep Dive program.
